New asphalt and new facilities greeted the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin participants for opening weekend of the 2013 season at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Victoria Day weekend. Now, the drivers return to familiar territory to take part in the newly-named Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix.

Now, the drivers return to familiar territory to take part in the newly-named Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix featuring the American Le Mans Series for rounds five and six of 2013 season.

The 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit is a favorite to many entered in the event. The intense corners command intense situational awareness and a total effort during the 45-minute sprint.

GT3 Cup Challenge Canada participants competed at the famous track for opening weekend of the 2013 season.

Spencer Pigot and David Ostella mastered the famous track with wins in rounds one and two at Victoria Day Speedfest. Rookie driver David Ostella in the No. 13 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car is the current points leader (68) after winning two races this season. He is trailed by teammates Pigot and Chris Green, each with 61 points after four rounds of competition. Due to obligations with his F2000 team, Pigot will not be running with Pfaff/Alegra Motorsports this weekend and instead Victor Carbone of Aventura, Fla., will be behind the No. 21 car.

SportsCarBoutique team owner and driver Ilker Starck shuffled up his two entries for the 2013 Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix and will be behind the wheel of a Gold Cup car for the first time this season. Starck raced the No. 48 Platinum Cup in the first two events of the season, but this weekend he’ll shift to the No. 38 Gold Cup car as Matt White steps into the Platinum Cup competition.

With only two events left following the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, the chance to take home keys to a Porsche for 365 days and an invitation to the Night of Champions is fast approaching. The winner of the championship this season will receive a one-year lease on a Porsche and an experience of a lifetime at the Night of Champions exclusive event in Weissach, Germany.

Anthony Mantella competes at Mosport for Victoria Day SpeedFest 2013

With five Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars on the grid each race, SpeedMerchants currently leads the team championship with 72 points, followed closely by Pfaff / Alegra Motorsports five points back and GT Racing in third.

The Masters Class driver standings are just as tight. Anthony Mantella of SpeedMerchants leads Marco Cirone with Mark Motors Racing for first place by just one point, with GT Racing’s Etienne Borgeat in third place.

Tim Sanderson is running away with the Gold Cup championship, having won all four races this season and built a substantial lead over fellow Gold Cup competitors.

Teams will have two practices this Friday, followed by qualifications at 10:45 a.m. ET Saturday, July 20 before the first race begins at 6:05 p.m. ET. On Sunday, July 21 the green flag drops for Race Two at 10 a.m. For live updates, follow @GT3Canada on Twitter and find photos from the weekend’s activities on Facebook.

source: grand-solutions.net

Ostella to Take on Dual Roles at Home Track in Mosport

Home will be right around the corner for the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin points leader David Ostella, as he takes the track this weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix.

The rookie driver for SpeedMerchants Motorsports feels comfortable on the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit, after winning Round 2 of the Victoria Day Speedfest earlier this season.

“Mosport is my home track,” Ostella said. “I’ll be able to sleep in my own bed, have the support of my whole family being there, and be able to have home cooked meals. It adds a level of comfort to not be in some hotel in a place you are unfamiliar with.

“Going into this race, I’ve already won here once. This is a high-speed track and it can be scarier to drivers who have not been here. It’s very challenging. There are some corners you go into blind and there is higher elevation. Having been here before will be a major advantage.”

Though Ostella may have more ease in his home territory, the 21-year-old is challenging himself with double-duty roles throughout the weekend.

“I’ll be racing in both the U.S. and Canadian series this weekend,” Ostella said. “I’ll be busy with eight practices, two qualifications, and four races. I don’t think it will be a problem because just getting into my Porsche I automatically feel comfortable. The new Michelin 2 tires are similar to the Yokohama the U.S. runs on so there is no worry there. I’m excited to have the seat time and hopefully I’ll just be able to stay focused.”

The Maple, Ontario native, who raced in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Series at Watkins Glen in June, is avid to take on added competition.

“I’m prepared for the U.S. Competition,” he said. “They have a lot more young drivers and cars in general, so it will be a tougher race, but I think having been here before will give me the advantage in the U.S. race.”

Ostella will look to continue his points lead for Race One of the Canadian Series at 6:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 20 and at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday July 21 for Race Two. He will also take the track at 1:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 20 for Race One of the U.S. Series, as well as at 3:15 p.m ET on Sunday, July 21 for Race 2.

For the latest updates follow SpeedMerchants Motorsports on Facebook and David Ostella on Facebook and Twitter at @DavidOstella.

For the most recent race updates and news regarding Ostella and Speed Merchants Motorsports, follow @OstellaCorsa on Twitter.